Everton pair Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have question marks hanging over them with both club and country ahead of Senegal's opening World Cup game against France. After both received a hero’s welcome on their return to Finch Farm in January, the Senegal World Cup pair now face varying degrees of uncertainty regarding their Everton futures.
Gueye's Contract Situation
For the second consecutive summer, Gueye is on the verge of free agency. Last year, the Blues announced their released list on June 9, stating they were offering contracts to Gueye and Seamus Coleman while continuing to liaise with representatives of Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Ultimately, Calvert-Lewin was the only one not to commit his future to the Blues for another year. While Coleman’s new deal was announced on June 27 and Keane’s on July 4, Evertonians waited until July 7 for Gueye. This time, the 36-year-old finds himself in a similar position with no offer on the table.
Gueye had an option for a further 12 months on his one-year deal, but the ECHO understands that his 25 games in 2025/26 were insufficient to trigger it. It is curious that after starting every Everton match he was eligible for this term, until the home fixture against Manchester City on May 4, he did not feature for a single minute thereafter.
Ndiaye's Transfer Speculation
Meanwhile, an article in The Athletic earlier this month stated that the Blues want to hand Ndiaye a new deal on improved wages as a reward for his form since his £15million move from Olympique Marseille in July 2024. Despite talks since the start of the year, his camp has rejected “multiple” contract offers. The star is “likely” to have a projected transfer value of around £70million. Since then, Joe Thomas reported in the ECHO that Ndiaye is among Manchester United’s shortlist of potential summer targets, with Arsenal and Manchester City also admirers. However, David Moyes does not want to sell, and given the player is under contract until 2029, Everton is under no obligation to entertain interest.
World Cup Preparation
Preparation for the World Cup has not been ideal. Senegal faces France (Ndiaye’s country of birth) tonight, continues against Norway next Tuesday, and finishes the group stage against Iraq the following Friday. Additionally, a cloud hangs over the Senegal team after their Africa Cup of Nations final debacle. Despite walking off the pitch earlier, the Lions of Teranga came back to win the trophy in January, only for CAF to award it to Morocco two months later. Senegal has appealed but will not know the outcome until after the World Cup.
Evertonians hope that Ndiaye, whose form dipped after his Merseyside Derby goal was disallowed, will show loyalty after the club gave him his big chance in the Premier League. For Gueye, his future likely hinges on the role David Moyes envisages for the veteran midfielder, who turns 37 in September.
